by Ali Kriscenski
As a society, we’ve grown accustomed to and dependent on the Internet of Things (IoT) which connects us to information and data throughout our daily lives. This network is also playing a central role in commercial facility management where manual operational oversight is giving way to automated smart systems and technology. The advancements include smart sensors that can empower managers to take control of predictive maintenance strategies. Here’s how >>
What is Predictive Maintenance?
Facility maintenance can follow reactive, preventative, or predictive strategies. Reactive maintenance is in response to system failures, often leading to expensive repairs or replacement. Preventative maintenance typically follows a set schedule of maintenance checks based on time in service and manufacture recommendations. Predictive maintenance is a data-driven strategy that can adjust to actual conditions that may indicate the need for ahead of schedule maintenance to avoid disruption.
Smart Sensors and Predictive Measures
The ability to monitor and document equipment status throughout commercial facilities is critical to maintaining operations and preventing costly repairs. The rise of connected devices and smart sensors has enabled facility managers to oversee the status and condition of equipment and devices remotely. Smart sensors can also collect and record data to inform comprehensive facility management software programs. This wealth of information can help facility managers create strategic maintenance plans that are prioritized to real world conditions.
Types of Smart Sensors
Today’s connected devices are designed to serve almost any industry, and new technology is evolving in time with marketplace developments. While emerging industries have specialized sensor requirements, there is a wide range of smart sensor types that are widely applicable.
Moisture Sensors
Water leaks and moisture can wreak havoc in any type of building and this is true in commercial facilities. Excessive moisture can cause mold and mildew, posing a health threat to occupants and potential damage to materials and structures. Leaks can also indicate a potential failure of systems including general plumbing, processing, or production equipment. A failure in any of these could lead to costly repairs and operational disruption. Moisture sensors are designed to alert facility managers at the onset of a leak or moisture buildup allowing maintenance to shift towards this priority.
Movement & Access Sensors
In certain facilities, access to controlled areas is monitored for regulatory compliance. These can include data centers, medical facilities, or processing lines for regulated chemicals. This operational condition can be cross monitored against clearance levels or other controlled access requirements. This data can be utilized to determine cause of equipment failure or asset integrity, such as vaccine efficacy or supply chain integrity.
Temperature Sensors
Temperature is an important environmental condition in any commercial facility. Smart temperature sensors can be utilized in rooms or inline as part of processing or manufacturing equipment. In regulatory compliance, temperature is often a metric used to determine if optimal parameters were maintained. Temperature sensors can also be useful in alerting facility managers to the need for equipment calibration to prevent failures.
Humidity Sensors
Like temperature, humidity is a common environmental condition that needs monitoring in a wide range of industries. Healthcare, manufacturing, data centers, and many other facility types depend on optimal humidity conditions. Humidity can affect the health of occupants and can also affect the calibration of sensitive equipment, such as medical diagnostic machines.
Electrical Current Sensors
This type of sensor monitors real time energy consumption of devices or equipment. It can be an extremely useful tool for energy efficiency strategies allowing facility managers to shift energy demand and reduce operational costs. These sensors also provide baseline energy usage and can indicate when equipment is overloaded or operating inefficiently.
Data-Driven Predictive Maintenance
The availability of smart sensors to meet any industry requirement is a boost to facility managers. The data and information that can be collected throughout a facility allows facility managers to create predictive maintenance strategies. This approach exceeds the level of operational continuity and cost control that could be achieved with reactive or preventative maintenance approaches. To learn more about how smart sensor technology can benefit your facility, contact the experts at Therma today.
AUTHOR BIO
Ali Kriscenski was trained in high-performance building design at Boston Architectural College. She has worked with leading architecture and construction firms in NYC and New England and served on the executive team at the Forest Stewardship Council International. She was the managing editor at Inhabitat and has worked pro bono for the Green Building Institute, ISEAL Alliance and Habitat for Humanity.
Sources
Facility Executive – Facility Management is Facility by Smart Sensors
Engineering.com – Choosing the Right Sensors for Predictive Maintenance
